Rail Means

ABSTRACT

A rail means ( 1 ) for an electrified monorail system with a suspended vehicle, which comprises an elongated body ( 2 ) having a longitudinal axis (A-A′), and a second axis (B-B′) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, whereby the elongated body ( 2 ) comprises
     (a) a central wall means ( 21 ) extending essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the second axis of the elongated body ( 2 ), said central wall means defining
       (a1) a first side wall ( 210 ) of a first channel ( 22 ) for receiving one or more support wheels and one or more guide rollers of a vehicle, the channel ( 22 ) having
           a support surface ( 220 ) parallel to the longitudinal axis (A-A′) and perpendicular to the second axis (B-B′) for supporting a support wheel, and   one or more first guiding surfaces ( 230, 231 ) for guiding a guide rollers of a vehicle; and   
           (a2) a second side wall ( 211 ) of a second channel ( 23 ) for receiving one or more conductor bars extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body ( 2 ), and   
       (b) one or more attachment grooves ( 3, 3′ ) having recess portions ( 31, 32, 31′, 32′ ), which are provided at the upper end of the central wall means for attachment of the rail below a support structure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a rail means for an electrified monorail system with a suspended vehicle. Moreover, the present invention relates to an electrified monorail system comprising the rail means of the invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional electrified monorail systems used in the automotive industry require a significant headspace above ground so that the vehicle including any load and the rail means may be accommodated below the rail means. Moreover, vehicles suspended on such conventional rail means frequently extend above the rail means so that space above the rail means must be available for the vehicle during operation. Given the strict labor safety and load requirements applicable in the automotive industry, conventional rail means are therefore mounted on dedicated support structures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the problem of the invention to provide a cost effective rail means for an electrified monorail system which may be used without a dedicated support structure and which may be used even in cases when headspace is limited.

This problem is solved according to the present invention by a rail means for an electrified monorail system with a suspended vehicle, which comprises an elongated body having a longitudinal axis, and a second axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, whereby the elongated body comprises

-   a) a central wall means extending essentially parallel to the     longitudinal axis and the second axis of the elongated body, said     central wall means defining     -   a1) a first side wall of a first channel for receiving one or         more support wheels and one or more guide rollers of a vehicle,         the channel having         -   a support surface parallel to the longitudinal axis and             perpendicular to the second axis for supporting a support             wheel, and         -   one or more first guiding surfaces for guiding a guide             rollers of a vehicle; and     -   a2) a second side wall of a second channel for receiving one or         more conductor bars extending parallel to the longitudinal axis         of the elongated body, and -   b) one or more attachment grooves having recess portions, which are     provided at the upper end of the central wall means for attachment     of the rail below a support structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In a preferred embodiment, the distance between the support surface and a contact surface of the rail means contacting the support structure is in the range of from 90 to 175 mm, more preferably 100 to 150 mm, most preferably 105 to 120 mm. Accordingly, the rail means of the present invention is significantly more compact than conventional rail means used in the automotive industry. The overall dimensions of the cross section of the rail means according to the invention are in the range of from 100 to 180 mm, more preferably 120 to 160, in height and 50 to 90 mm in width. The central wall means preferably has a thickness in the range of from 4.5 to 5.5 mm.

The elongated body may further comprise a third channel for receiving guide roller, which has one or more second guiding surfaces for guiding guide rollers of a vehicle.

The first guiding surface of the first channel may extend essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the second axis of the elongated body.

The second channel for receiving one or more conductor bars extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body may comprise a conductor bar assembly engaging the second channel at recess portions.

Two attachment grooves may be are provided which have recess portions capable of receiving and engaging attachment means for attachment of the rail below a support structure.

A third channel for receiving guide rollers may furthermore be provided adjacent to the support surface so that a second guiding surface for guiding guide rollers of a vehicle is contiguous with the support surface and extends parallel to the longitudinal axis and the second axis.

The rail means according to the invention may be made of any suitable material, preferably a metal such as aluminum.

An electrified monorail system comprising a rail means according to any one of the preceding claims and a vehicle.

The invention will now be further illustrated with reference to the attached figures.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a rail means according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the rail mean and a corresponding vehicle.

As shown by FIG. 1, the rail means 1 for an electrified monorail system with a suspended vehicle according to the invention comprises an elongated body 2. The elongated body 2 has a longitudinal axis A-A′, and a second axis B-B′ perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The elongated body 2 comprises a central wall means 21 extending essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the second axis of the elongated body 2.

The central wall means defines a first side wall 210 of a first channel 22 for receiving one or more support wheels and one or more guide rollers of a vehicle.

The channel 22 comprises a support surface 220 parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A′ and perpendicular to the second axis B-B′ for supporting a support wheel. The channel 22 further comprises one or more first guiding surfaces 230, 231 for guiding a guide roller of a vehicle. The first guiding surface 230, 231 of the first channel 22 extends essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the second axis of the elongated body 2.

The central wall means further defines a second side wall 211 of a second channel 23 for receiving one or more conductor bars extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body 2. The second channel 23 for receiving one or more conductor bars extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body 2 comprises a conductor bar assembly engaging the second channel 23 at recess portions 232, 233.

The elongated body 2 further comprises attachment grooves 3, 3′ having recess portions 31, 32, 31′, 32′. The attachment grooves 3, 3′ are provided at the upper end of the central wall means for attachment of the rail below a support structure.

The elongated body 2 further comprises a third channel 4 for receiving guide roller, which has one or more second guiding surfaces 410, 411 for guiding guide rollers of a vehicle. The third channel 4 for receiving guide roller is provided adjacent to the support surface 220 so that a second guiding surface 410, 411 for guiding guide rollers of a vehicle is contiguous with the support surface 220 and extends parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A′ and the second axis B-B′.

As shown by FIG. 2, the rail means of FIG. 1 may be mounted underneath a conventional support beam 100. For this purpose, the elongated body 2 comprises attachment grooves 3, 3′ having recess portions 31, 32, 31′, 32′. The attachment grooves 3, 3′ are provided at the upper end of the central wall means for attachment of the rail below a support structure by conventional means such as a screw connection.

The suspended vehicle 500 engages the rail means 1 with a support wheel 501 which may be driven by using drive means 502. The support wheels is received in a first channel 22 limited laterally by a side wall of the central wall means. The channel 22 comprises a support surface 220 parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A′ and perpendicular to the second axis B-B′ for supporting the support wheel 501. Moreover, the suspended vehicle further comprises guide rollers 510-513. Guide roller 511 is also received in the first channel 22. For this purpose, the channel 22 further comprises one or more first guiding surfaces 230, 231 for guiding the guide rollers of the vehicle 500. The first guiding surface 230, 231 of the first channel 22 extends essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the second axis of the elongated body 2.

The central wall means further defines a second side wall 211 of a second channel 23 for receiving one or more conductor bars extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body 2. The second channel 23 contain conductor bars extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body 2. A conductor bar assembly 600 engaging the second channel 23 at recess portions 232, 233 is provided for controlling the suspended vehicle and providing energy to the drive means 502.

The elongated body 2 further comprises a third channel 4 for receiving a guide roller 512, which has second guiding surfaces 410, 411 for guiding guide rollers 512, 513 of the vehicle 500. The third channel 4 for receiving guide roller is provided adjacent to the support surface 220.

The electrified monorail system according to the invention may be preferably used for transporting loads of up to 300 kg. 

1. A rail means (1) for an electrified monorail system with a suspended vehicle, which comprises an elongated body (2) having a longitudinal axis (A-A′), and a second axis (B-B′) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, whereby the elongated body (2) comprises (a) a central wall means (21) extending essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the second axis of the elongated body (2), said central wall means defining (a1) a first side wall (210) of a first channel (22) for receiving one or more support wheels and one or more guide rollers of a vehicle, the channel (22) having a support surface (220) parallel to the longitudinal axis (A-A′) and perpendicular to the second axis (B-B′) for supporting a support wheel, and one or more first guiding surfaces (230, 231) for guiding a guide rollers of a vehicle; and (a2) a second side wall (211) of a second channel (23) for receiving one or more conductor bars extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body (2), and (b) one or more attachment grooves (3, 3′) having recess portions (31, 32, 31′, 32′), which are provided at the upper end of the central wall means for attachment of the rail below a support structure.
 2. The rail means (1) of claim 1, wherein the distance between the support surface (220) and a contact surface (300) of the rail means contacting the support structure is in the range of from 90 to 175 mm.
 3. The rail means (1) of claim 1, wherein the elongated body (2) further comprises a third channel (4) for receiving guide roller, which has one or more second guiding surfaces (410, 411) for guiding guide rollers of a vehicle.
 4. The rail means (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first guiding surface (230, 231) of the first channel (22) extends essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the second axis of the elongated body (2).
 5. The rail means (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second channel (23) for receiving one or more conductor bars extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body (2) comprises a conductor bar assembly engaging the second channel (23) at recess portions (232, 233).
 6. The rail means (1) according to claim 1, wherein two attachment grooves (3, 3′) are provided which have recess portions (31, 32, 31′, 32′) capable of receiving and engaging attachment means for attachment of the rail below a support structure.
 7. The rail means (1) according to claim 1, wherein the third channel (4) for receiving guide roller is provided adjacent to the support surface (220) so that a second guiding surface (410, 411) for guiding guide rollers of a vehicle is contiguous with the support surface (220) and extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (A-A′) and the second axis (B-B′).
 8. The rail means according to claim 1, which is made of aluminum.
 9. The rail means according to claim 1, wherein the overall dimensions of the cross section are in the range of from 100 to 180 mm in height and 50 to 90 mm in width.
 10. The rail means according to claim 1, wherein the central wall means has a thickness in the range of from 4.5 to 5.5 mm.
 11. An electrified monorail system comprising a rail means according to claim 1 and a vehicle.
 12. Use of the electrified monorail system according to claim 11 for transporting loads of up to 300 kg. 